Scurati Charts Mussolini’s Decline

In Rome, Italy, Antonio Scurati’s third volume of “M” depicts Benito Mussolini’s diminishing power starting in 1938. The novel focuses on Hitler’s state visit and the growing imbalance in the relationship between the two dictators.

Scurati uses detailed scenes of daily life—meals, clothing, correspondence—to portray Mussolini and his inner circle. He draws from numerous firsthand accounts to build a portrait of Mussolini that is both tragic and unsettling.

The book notably omits a detailed account of the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, a painful subject for Italy’s upper class. Though mentioned, Scurati prioritizes a novelistic approach over a comprehensive historical overview. He aims to show events through a different lens than traditional biography allows, focusing on the personal and intimate.

As the volume progresses to Italy’s entry into WWII in 1940, the dynamic between Mussolini and Hitler shifts. The once-master becomes increasingly subservient to his “disciple.” Scurati’s work explores the complex relationship between Italian and German cultures, highlighting enduring tensions. The translation from Italian to Norwegian receives praise for its quality and nuance.